June 22, 2016

DMAVAHigHligHts

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Cover: ManeuverAirmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Security Forces Squadron maneuver through an indoor Military Operations in Urban Terrain site during training at the New Jersey National Guard’s Joint Training & Training Development Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 16, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht/Released)

Night moves

Above: Airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Security Forces Squadron perform a tactical entry on a building at an indoor Military Operations in Urban Terrain site at the New Jersey National Guard’s Joint Training and Training Development Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 16, 2016. Left: SF Airmen clear rooms under low-light conditions. The red and blue lighting simulates a moonlit night as seen through night vision devices. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht/Released)

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Albanian infantry trains with CavalryBy Sgt. Bill Addison, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Approximately 20 leaders from Albania’s 2nd Infantry Battalion are learning just what it takes to keep New Jersey’s Army National Guard combat and deployment ready.

As a part of the state’s ongoing State Partnership Program with Albania, Albanian Armed Forces officers and senior enlisted members will observe and train alongside the Soldiers of the 102nd Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition during their annual training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

The 15-day event is designed to show the AAF leadership how U.S. and NATO forces develop company, platoon and squad level leadership, said Master Sgt. Gary Davison, an Operations Non-Commissioned Officer at the N.J. National Guard’s Joint Operations Center. The training will further enhance their own capabilities to deploy with U.S. and NATO forces.

He noted that the instruction began at the most basic level – the individual Soldier. Before training with the Cavalry troops, the Albanian soldiers first needed familiarization and training on the M4 Carbine, the common weapon system used by U.S. and NATO

forces. Albania will be transitioning to the M4 during the next few years, and the Albanian soldiers here will be the future

trainers for the AAF.“The training so far has been

outstanding,” said Davidson.Davidson said he’s been working

with the State Partnership Program for six years, and in that time has seen the program grow exponentially from a purely military perspective to an all-inclusive partnership between the State of New Jersey and the Country of Albania.

“We’re not only partnering with their military personnel, the New Jersey State police have been working with their national police force and our civilian emergency managers have been helping them build their emergency management capabilities,” he said. “It’s been a true partnership across the board.”

“This program has really helped the Albanian Army strengthen their participation with their NATO partners,” said Floreta Faber, Albanian Ambassador to the United States. Faber visited the soldiers during an exercise at the Fort Dix ranges.

“This is really a great opportunity for Albania and the Albanian army to work with our U.S. partners,” said Faber.

“This program has really helped the

Albanian Army strengthen their

participation with their NATO

partners”Floreta Faber

Albanian Ambassadorto the

United States

Soldiers with the 102nd Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition, New Jersey Army National Guard, train soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Albanian Army, on the M4 carbine and the M249 squad automatic weapon at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 13, 2016. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Kennedy/Released)

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The Soldiers of 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard were recently awarded the John J. Stanko Army National Guard Aviation Unit of the Year by the Army Aviation Association of America.

The Battalion earned the award for their accomplishments while deployed to Kosovo in 2015 in support of the Kosovo Force – a NATO-led international peacekeeping force that has been responsible for establishing a secure environment in Kosovo since 1999.

Lt. Col. Michale Lapointe said the key to the winning the competition is individual dedication to duty.

“I don’t want to stand over my people telling them every little thing to do,” Lapointe said. “We empowered our people to do their jobs and they ran with it.”

While deployed on the 19th KFOR rotation, the Battalion was tasked with being the command element for all U.S. Army aviation assets – airlift and medical evacuation – and several units of infantry for

assorted NATO partners.This mission allowed the unit to

conduct ground and aerial missions all of which resulted in success and brought many accolades from higher headquarters, their NATO partners, and the government of Kosovo.

In addition to the Battalion’s assigned duty, the Soldiers conducted numerous community service projects which ultimately led to the improvement of the local area outside of Camp Bondsteel, and recognition from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo.

Lapointe said that his Soldiers helped rebuild an orphanage and replaced the roof on a shelter for survivors of domestic violence.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Hicks said several Soldiers also volunteered to prepare local high school students to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam.

“They all want to come here to study,” Hicks said. “Teaching them English gives them a tremendous advantage when they apply to get into a U.S. college or university.”

150th chosen aviation unit of the year Story by Staff Sgt. Sherwood T. Goodenough, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

In addition, the rear detachment had maintained its responsibilities to the State of New Jersey while also transitioning into their new unit home station at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Sgt. James Bolek, the Army Aviation Association of America Soldier of the Year, said the key to the Battalion’s success is the close knit nature of the unit.

“The most important part of winning was caring for your fellow Soldiers,” Bolek said. “You do it – not because it’s your job – but because they’re your family while you’re away. And if everybody’s morale is up, you can accomplish so much more than you can imagine.”

The late Col. John J. Stanko is known in Army aviation lore as the pivotal leader in the development of the Army National Guard aviation program. As an aviator, Stanko began his career during World War II in the Army Air Forces. He served as an Army aviator with the Pennsylvania National Guard and spearheaded the first National Guard aviation logistics element.

U.S. Military Academy cadets rappel from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard, at West Point, N.Y., during the U.S. Army Air Assault Course June 9, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant/Released)

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112th fields new counter-fire radarBy Sgt. Bill Addison, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

The ability to detect incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire before impact can mean the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Add in the capability to immediately pinpoint and target where that attack originated, and you’ve gained the advantage needed to quickly eliminate the threat.

That’s exactly the ability the Soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard’s 3-112th Fires Battalion now have with the recent fielding of four AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar system.

The early warning/counter targeting system is the military’s latest upgrade to its arsenal of lightweight counter-mortar radar systems.

Soldiers from the battalion spent their annual training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst training and testing the new systems June 6-17.

“We’re not teaching them how it works, we’re just teaching them the differences between what they’ve used and what they have here,” said Robert Hoover, a Net Fielder instructor for PDM Radars.

Hoover noted the biggest difference in this system is the ability to mount it on a vehicle to quickly deploy and set up anywhere the battalion needs it.

Still, the initial fielding requires the Soldiers to not only become familiar with new software, but also work through thousands of pages of field manuals for the system.

He said the major advantages from other models were its smaller size, ease of use, mobility, and maintainability. In all, he said a well-trained two-man team could be on location and set up the system in less than 10 minutes.

“The training has been excellent,” said

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Hladik, target acquisition platoon leader and counter-fire radar targeting officer for the 112th Fires Battalion.

According to Hladik, the new systems allow the battalion to task out their radar teams to other maneuver battalions within the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to provide maximum coverage and capability for the brigade.

He noted that in an ideal situation,

Spcs. Michael Mirkovic, left, and Allen Waldron, both with the 3-112th Fires Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard, train on the AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar system at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 13, 2016. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Eric Bauza/Released)

each team would be located within 10,000 meters within the maneuver unit and providing early warning when incoming mortar, rocket or artillery fire has been fired at our friendly troops.

“Once we detect that an enemy round is coming toward our forces, the information is sent to the Fires Battalion headquarters, and we would be able to determine the best way to fire back.”

At the rangeSoldiers from the 508th Military Police and 50th Chemical Company, New Jersey Army National Guard, perform marksmanship training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 7, 2016. The Soldiers are qualifying for their participation in the Homeland Response Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Pitts/Released)

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Veterans ‘play hooky’ from PTSDBy Sgt. Bill Addison, 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Approximately 20 Vietnam Veterans from the Tri-State area assembled at the New Jersey National Guard’s Militia Museum at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt on June 14 to learn the ins and outs of crabbing at the Jersey Shore.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 12 hosted the event as part of their monthly fishing program, which is designed to connect veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to the outdoors.

The workshops enable veterans to take the time to heal by utilizing healthy outdoor activities, such as fishing and crabbing, said Greg Kucharewski, a Chapter 12 member who leads the seminars.

“We call it ‘playing hooky from PTSD,’” he said. “It gives them a chance to forget a little bit.”

It’s an affective strategy, according to Ed Mack, an attendee and member of a VVA chapter in Pennsylvania.

“The outdoor activities are probably the most effective that you can see in an hour or two hour time period,” he said. “What you’ve got is water, wind and nature and people relax. They get involved in the activity and they just release themselves.”

The event opened with a tour of the museum and a history lesson of the New Jersey National Guard.

Kucharewski then demonstrated various traps and baits used to catch blue claw crabs and even provided even provided recipes and tips for how to cook their catch. Attendees each received a goodie bag of recipes, magazines and crabbing gear. Many walked away with door prizes as well, such as fishing trips, gear and apparel.

Kucharewski said the program is in its third year and has already raised more than $2,000 in donations of fishing gear and apparel.

He acknowledged that reaching Vietnam Vets with PTSD is a challenge, as many have not been diagnosed and won’t seek treatment or these types of programs. He noted that the best way is to work one on one with veterans to help identify possible sighs of PTSD and get them connected with a veteran’s service office. He also said that the programs are designed to be smaller, as crowds are something vets with PTSD will want to avoid.

Veterans’ service officers were also the event to connect the attendees with information and points of contact for veteran’s services.

For more information on the program, or to find a schedule of workshops, please contact Greg Kucharewski at 732-785-9278 or gkucharews@jcaa.org.

Hamlet visits HomeHamlet, the miniature horse, visited the residents at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park June 21, 2016. Siemens Corporation volunteers were on hand to help transport the residents to this activity and stayed to assist with a bingo game. Every day, dozens of volunteers visit the three veteran memorial homes to interact with the residents. Volunteers are a force multiplier. They logged more than 75,000 volunteer hours in 2015. (Courtesy photo)

Veterans Outreach Campaign

Highlights submissions deadline 4 p.m. Wednesday: mark.olsen@dmava.nj.gov

SUSSEX COUNTY “BIKE NIGHT FOR VETERANS”

June 23, 5 – 8 p.m.Chatterbox Restaurant

1 State Route 15Augusta, NJ 07822

63RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE KOREAN

WAR ARMISTICEJuly 27, 11 a.m.

New Jersey Korean War

MemorialBrighton Park Amphitheatre and

the BoardwalkAtlantic City, NJ 08401

“VETTE TO VET NIGHT”Sept. 9, 5 – 8 p.m.

Chatterbox Restaurant,1 State Route 15

Augusta, NJ 07822)

VETERANS OUTREACH CAMPAIGN & MEDAL

CEREMONYSept. 20-21, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

DailyDMAVA medal ceremony Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. at Center CourtBridgewater Commons Mall

400 Commons WayBridgewater, NJ, 08807

NJDMAVA Veterans Affairs POCs

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DMAVA HigHligHts is published weekly by the Public Affairs Office of the

New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of

the Department of Defense, the Army, The Air Force, the National

Guard, Veterans Affairs or the State of New Jersey. Letters may be sent to: NJDMAVA, DMAVA Highlights, Public Affairs Office, PO Box 340, Trenton, NJ 08625-0340. E-mail at: pao@dmava.nj.gov

New Jersey Department of Militaryand Veterans Affairs

Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff – The Adjutant Generalof New Jersey

Brig. Gen. Steven Ferrari – The DeputyAdjutant General

Raymond Zawacki – Deputy Commissioner forVeterans Affairs

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Daugherty – Public Affairs Officer

Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen – Layout, photographerKryn Westhoven – Writer, photographer

Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley – Writer, photographerTech. Sgt. Matt Hecht – Photographer, graphic artist

Scholarship for wounded guardsmen

The National Guard Education Foundation is offering scholarship grants to current or former National Guard members wounded in an operational or training mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn.

For more information, please visit: http://www.ngef.org/the-van-hipp-heroes-scholarship-fund/

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